Printing telegraph apparatus



Feb. 12, 1946. M. T. GOETZ PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Original Filed Sept. 20, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z RT Z m W YJh g' Feb. 12, 1946. M. T. GOETZ 2, 9

PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS 7 Original Filed Sept. 20, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTO EY Patented Feb. 12, 1946 1 PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Maurus T. Goetz, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation Delaware Original application September 20, 1941, Serial Divided and this application July 28, 1944, Serial No. 546,946

9 Claims.

This invention pertains to printing-telegraph apparatus and more particularly to signal recording and repeating apparatus and switching mechanism controlled thereby.

Thi applicationis a division of copending application Serial No. 411,665, filed September 20,

said apparatus being provided with a controlmechanism for stopping a transmitting-means upon transmitting signal impulses in accordance with signals including the last signal recorded in.

said control strip.

In communication systems, particularly those in which messages may originate in any of a number of substations to be transmitted to certain of the remaining substations, it is frequently the practice to transmit the message to a central ofilce for rerouting or retransmission to the desired substation. In such a ystem, the message is customarily stored as it-is received, preferably in a record tape, until the necessary retransmission channels are selected and conditioned. The retransmission channels are generally conditioned manually through plugs and jacks or semi-automatically through relay circuits. After the message channels have been established, the stored message is applied thereto and transmitted directly to the desired substation, if a through connection is available, or to a further central omce for relaying to the desired substation. At each message relaying point or central oflice, there is provided a message receiving and storing mechanism, such as a printing reperforator, manually or relay operated switching mechanism for establishing message channels, and a message redistributor, such as a tape transmitter, adapted to be associated with the determined channels.

This invention features a telegraph apparatus which may be utilized in communication systems I to facilitate and expedite message transmission between substations and which includes within one compact unit a printing reperforator, a plurality of transmitters and entirely automatic switchingpmechanism. Telegraph signal combinations received by this apparatu are recorded in a control tape and a sensing device senses the tape and conditions the retransmitting distributors in accordance with the received signal combinations to retransmit the message. I The switching mechanism of this apparatus operates under the control of he same tape and sensing device in response to switching signal combinations received from the originating substation preceding the message signal combinations to establish the necessary communication channel to direct the message to the desired substation.

The apparatus for accomplishing the above and other objects of this invention includes a print- 10 ing reperforator, a sensing or transmitting device, transmitting distributors and an automatic switching device. Code signal combinations received by this apparatus condition the printing reperforator to store the received signal combinations and print the character represented thereby on a control strip. 'I'he'printing reperforator includes a pre-punch unit to prepare teed holes in the strip operated concomitantly with .the code perforating unit with each cycle of roao'tation of a selecting cam drum of the printing unit. The cam drum is adapted to be manually released for continuous rotation to feed a desired length of the tape or control strip through the operation of the feeding devices of the perforating units. From the reperforator, the control strip passes into the sensing or transmitting device to control that device in accordance with received signal combinations stored in the tape; -The sensing or transmitting device, being of the pivoted type, is movable with respect to the reperforator and may, therefore, probe each signal combination including the last stored in the tape by the code punching unit. When the sensing device has been conditioned in accordance with a complete signal combination in the control strip, a. transfer device operates to transfer the setting of the sensing device to a plurality of code bars and to restore the sensing device to its initial condition preparatory to another sensing operation. Each code bar isv associated with a locking latch of a cam type transmitting distributor and the code bars when they have received a setting of the sensing device, establish the setting on the contacts of the distributor so that the signal is retransmitted by the distributor while the sensing device isperforming the next succeeding sensing operation and through this arrangement complete signal overlap is provided. The code bars condition automatic switching mechanism as well as the transmitting distributor to perform switching functions to determine the channel into which the distributor transmits in response to received switching signal combinations.

The sensing or transmitting device has a'tape (only one of which is shown).

out pin that is operated cyclically with the code sensing pins to interrupt the operation of the transmitter at a predetermined point in message signaling, as determined by a special perforation in the tape, or when the tape supply is broken or exhausted. The transmitter is also equipped with a tape feed suppression device operable to arrest the tape feed through the transmitter so that a given signal combination may be transmitted several times in succession.

The pivoted transmitter is movable with the tape and when there is a predetermined length of tape intermediate the transmitter and reperforator'. a locking device, which serves to form this length of tape into a' depending loop, locks the transmitter rendering it immovable with respect to the reperforator. Under the continuous operation of the transmitter, this length of tape will eventually be shortened and finally the tape will engage the locking device and move it out of engagement with the transmitter permitting the transmitter to approach the reperforator to sense every code combination in the tape.

For a more complete understanding of the foregoing objects and features of this invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description which is to be interpreted in the light of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view, partly in section, of a portion of a telegraph apparatus embodying the features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view, partly in section, taken approximately along lines 3-3 of Fig. 1 to show the transmitting cam assembly; and

Fig. 4 is a detailed view illustrating the release magnet assembly includingthe transmitter release magnet and a distributor release magnet.

The apparatus disclosed in the drawings embodies the several features of this invention and may be considered as including the followin principal units and associated driving mechanisms; a printing reperforator unit IS, a tape sensing unit I6, a retransmitting distributor 11, a

retransmitting distributor I8, and an automatic switching device 19. The several units are supported by a base casting 2|.

Printing reperjorator The printing reperforator included in the apparatus under consideration is substantially the same as that printing reperforator which is the subject of U. S. Patent No. 2,255,794 issued September 16, 1941, to Ross A. Lake, and for a more complete understanding of the structure and mode of operation of this 'unit, reference may be had to the afore-mentioned patent which is in corporated herein by reference. Since the unit under consideration is substantially the same as that disclosed in the above-identified patent, the description of that mechanism to be set out hereinafter will be of a general nature and will be detailed only in the description of those features of the present unit which are different from features in the above-identified patent. 4

- A printing platen 22 is located in the front and central portion of the reperforator and is associated with an improved platen shift mechanism which is the subject of U. S. Patent No. 2,339.- 785, granted January 25, 1944,'to R. A. Lake. An inking ribbon 23, Fig. 2, is directed thereover in well-known manner from ribbon supply reels 25 A plurality of type bars 24, (only one of which i illustrated) is positioned in an arcuate path about and to the rear of the printing platen 22 and are articulated to their supports in a manner to permit their striking forwardly and downwardly into cooperation with the platen to effect printing. A plurality of pull bars 26 (only one of which is shown) is assembled to the rear of thetype bars 24 and is adapted to operate the type bars through a gear and rack connection (not shown). The mill bars are normally urged against a series of notched code bars 21 which are semi-circular in shape and which may be conditioned in various permutable settings by means of a selector mechanism 28 (Fig. '1, of the sword and T-lever type,

shown in U. S. Patent No. 1,745,633) to bring into alignment the notches on the code surfaces so that the pull bars may be individually selected is rotatably supported upon continuously rotating shaft 34 and is adapted to be driven therefrom through a suitable friction or slip clutch.

A receiving magnet (not shown) is adapted to be conditioned in response to received line signals to release the friction clutch and cause the rotation of the selecting cam sleeve from driving shaft 34 in a manner set out in detail in the afore-mentioned patent. The cam sleeve is thereupon rotated at a speed substantially syn- .chronous with the speed of the code impulsing so that the energization of the receiving magnet in response to marking and spacing code signals may be efiective through the selector 28 to condition the individual code bars 21 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction in accordance with a received code signal combination. The permutable setting of the code bars 21 results in the selection of one particular pull bar 26, depending upon the alignment of the code notches in code bars 21, and with the selection thus determined the code bars are locked during the printing operation by means of a locking bar 36, Fig. 1, through its engagement with looking notches 35 provided in each of the-code bars. The locking bar 36, which has the same general contour as pull bars 26, is moved into and out of locking engagement with code bars 21 by means of the printing ball 31, Fig. 2, as it is raised and lowered. The printing ball 31 is suitably articulated to a bail operating plunger 38, Fig. 1, slidably mounted within a guide sleeve 39, and plunger 38 is controlled by means of a cam (not shown) on the main shaft 34. The precise operation of the printing mechanism including bail 31 from the 'main shaft 34 is set out in detail in said aforementioned patent.

When the ball 31 is in its lowermost position under the control of plunger 38, it cooperates with beveled surfaces 41, Fig. 2, on the plurality of mill bars 26 to hold the pull bars out of engagement with code bars 21 so that the code bars may be readily shifted in accordance with the operation of the selector mechanism 28 under the control of received code signal impulses. When the printing bail 31 is operated upwardly to perform the printing operation, the bars 26 and 36 due to their cam surfaces 4| are permitted to be actuated gradually toward the code bars 21 by their individual springs. Pull bars 26 are provided with a hook projection 42 which cooperates with the printing bail 31 when a pull 'bar is permitted by the alignment of notches in the code bars 21, to be operated by its biasing spring into' the path of bail 31 which in itsupward movement engages hook projection 42 to lift the pull bar, and through the rack and pinion engagement with the type bar causes the type bar to rotate about its pivot and bring the type face downwardly to impinge upon platen 22. The locking bar 36 is not provided with a hook portion since its function is merely to rock on its pivot into and out of locking engagement withcode bars 21 under the control of bail 31 to retain the perrnutable setting of the code bars during the printing operation. For a more comprehensive and detailed description of the printing operation' performed by the printingreperforator, reference may be had to the aforesaid Patent No. 1,745,633 which is specificallysdirected to a printing mechanism of the type incorporated in the printing reperforator unit.

For the purpose of controlling code punches in the reperforating operation to record the code combination in a tape as well as print the corresponding character on the tap there is provided a plurality of bell cranks 46, Figs. 1 and 2, one associated with each code bar and pivotally supported upon a stud 41 which is mounted in a supporting plate 48 secured to the frame of the reperforating unit. Each of the bell cranks 46 is provided witha projecting finger 48 adapted to overlap the locking bar 36 and be operated thereby to position the bell cranks 46 in a counceived code signal combination. The bell cranks are biased in a clockwise direction and each is provided with a shoulder portion 5| which performs a sensing operation on the associated code bars 21 when looking bar 36 under the control of bail 31 i moved into the locking notch 35 releasing the bell cranks to respond to their clockwise bias. If a code bar is in its counterclockwise position, as indicated in Fig. 1, the shoulder portion 5| of the associated bell crank 46 will be clear of the code bar and when locking bar 36 responds to the bail'31 and enters locking notch 35 as shown, the bell crank 46 will be permitted to assume it's clockwise position. However, in the event that a code bar is in its extreme clockwise position, locking bar 36 would engage the alternate locking notch on the particular code bar and that bar would be positioned in the path of its associated bell crank 46 so that when looking bar 36 has moved into engagement with the alternate locking notch 35 releasing the particular bell crank 46 for rotation, that rotation will be restrained. Accordingly, through the cooperation of the individual code bars 21 and the blocking shoulders 5| ,of the bell cranks associated with the particular code bars, the permutable setting of the "code bars is transferred to the plurality of bell cranks 46 when those bell cranks are permitted to sense the positionment of the code bars as locking bar 36 is moved into a locking notch 35.

The frontward portion of supporting plate 48 as viewed in Fig. 1, is slotted to provide a comblike structure which guides a plurality of vertically disposed pivoted levers 52 which are pivotaliy supported upon a stud 53, Fig. 2, carried in support member 48. The levers 52 which are with and control a series of bell cranks 54 pivoted on a pivot shaft 55, Fig. 2, secured to the casting 63. Bell cranks 54, in turn, extend beneath the horizontal portion of a second set of bell cranks .66 pivoted on shaft 51 supported in the perforator casting 63. The bell cranks 56'are normally urged in a clockwise direction by means of individual springs 66 which springs also serve through the engagement of bell cranks 56, bell cranks 54, pivoted levers 52, and bell cranks 46 to impart a clockwise bias on each of the bell cranks 46. Pivotally articulated to the vertical arms of bell cranks 56 are a plurality of punch interponents 58. Interponents 58 are guided by a. comb out in a flanged portion 6| of a cradle member 62 pivotally supported by the casting 63 of the printing reperforator and serving as the punch operator as will appear hereinafter. The pivot for cradle member 62 is in substantial alignment with the pivotal connection between the interponent mem'- bers 58 and the vertical arms ,of bell cranks 56. This pivot point is indicated 64, Through the mechanical linkage above described, each permutable setting of the code bars 21 is transferred respect to code punches 66, Fig. 2.

Looking bar 36, in being retracted from a locking notch 35 preparatory to setting up a signal a combination in code bars 21, rocks 'bell cranks 46 in a counterclockwise direction and through the mechanical linkage described, similarly rocks bell cranks 56 and advances all interponents 58 leftwardly. After the code bars have been set, locking bar 36 releases bell cranks 46 permitting the interponents 58 to-be selectively moved from their normal, leftward position. If any of the bell crank levers 46 is held in its counterclockwise position by the engagement of its looking shoulder 5| with its associated code bar 21, the corresponding interponent 58 through the mechanical linkage above described is retained in its leftward position in alignment with its code punch 66. However, if a bell crank 46 is permittedto assume its clockwise position by its associated code bar 21, its spring 60 is effective to shift its associated interponent to its rightward position, as illustratedin'Fig; 2, out of alignment with punches 66. .The connection between the selector mechanism 28 and code bars 21 is such that when a marking impulse isreceived a code bar is moved to its clockwise position, the associated interponent 58 is retained in alignment with its code punch 66 and conversely. when a code bar isrpositioned in its counterclockwise position in response to the reception of a spacing impulse, its associated interponent is shifted fromits normal position and moved out of alignment with its associated code punch.

A punchblock 61, Fig. 2, secured to the reperforator casting is suitably apertured to receive in a slidablemanner the code punches 66 which guided by the comb portion of member 48 pro- Ject into the path of operation of bell cranks 46 and each lever 52 is controlled by one of the bell cranks 46, The lower endsof levers 52 cooperate project'through the punch block and a guide comb 68 formed in the leftward-extremity of a punch stripper ball that is pivoted on the same pivot studs as cradle 62. A spring 18 is secured to a depending projection of bail 65 and a spring post (not shown) located on the perforator castvide an inclined path for a tape through the punch block. The front surface of the punch block is chamfered back to the apertures which accommodate the code punches to prevent the accumulation of tape chips over the code punches. The punch elements 66 may be associated with the punch block 61 in much the same manner as disclosed in detail in U. S. Patent No. 2,255,794, and that detail will not be repeated here.

Disposed in the punch block 81 is a die plate 12 and there is provided in the die plate a die sector for each code punch located in punch block 61. The die sectors are similar to the die openings described in detail in U. S. Patent No. 2,255,794 and illustrated inpartlcular in Fig. 6

' thereof at I01, the construction being such that the cooperation of a die punch with such a die opening will produce a lidded aperture in the tape. The bottom surface of die plate 12 is cut at such an angle that, when the die plate is assembled into a punching unit with punch block perforating stroke into cooperating en agement with the die plate 12, the punch, due to the in.- cline of the die plate, initially blanks a small sector in the tape and, as the punch is further advanced into the die plate, 'the punch and die plate engage along an inclined shearin plate to produce a perforation. I

A lidded aperture is produced in the tape with each perforating operation and because of the angular relationship of the tape and code punches, the lagging edge of the lid is forced well above the tape web and into the die plate while the neck of the lid is not raised appreciably. A plurality of stripper pins is provided to remove the lids from the die plate at the end of each perforating cycle. In each perforating cycle, the

operated code punches I56 project into the sector.

openings provided in die plate 12 and force the stripper pins upwardly and at the completion of the perforating cycle, the code punches 66 are retracted from the die plate by comb 68 rendering the levers 11 operative under the influence of stripper springs to depress the ejector pins and eject the lids from the die plate. The code perforating punch block described above forms no part of the present invention but is the subject of afore-mentioned U. S. Patent No. 2,255,794 and reference may he had thereto for a more complete disclosure of the punch assembly.

A feed wheel 8|, Fig. 2, provided with sprocket teeth to engage feed perforations in the tape and feed the tape through the code perforating mechanism, is rotatably supported within-the punch lever which is secured to cradle member 62 and engages a feed ratchet with each operation of the cradle 62 in a well-known manner. A spring pressed detent is provided to bear against the ratchet and hold the feed wheel immovable between feeding strokes of the pawl.

A pre-punch unit-is provided to perforate a feed hole in the tape prior to the code perforating operation and comprises a feed punch 9|, Fig. 2, which is adapted to be recip'rocated vertically in a feed hole punch block 92 by means of a bell crank 93 pivoted on studshaft 94 and provided with a fork shaped extension member 96, the tines of which engage beneath the flared upper end of the punch BI and confine the head of the punch between the fork member and the bell crank so that the punch is reciprocated as the bell crank is oscillated about pivot94. Feed pins 08, Fig. 1, are secured to a shaft 91 rotatably supported in the pre-punch unit and provided at one end with milled ratchet teeth 99 to be engaged by a feed pawl IN to intermittently advance the pins 98 and cause the feed of the tape by the engagement of pins 98 with the feed perforations invariably provided in the tape by the pre-punch el. A star wheel I02 and detent I03 are provided for holding the feed shaft intermediate the feeding strokes of pawl I0 I A spring pressed guide I04, Fig. 1, of the general contour of shaft 91 presses the tape against the feed pins tape. That is, with the feed holes already prepared in the tape, the detent associated with feed wheel 8| may be adjusted so that each operation of feed pawl 83 positions a feed hole in or out of alignment with code punches 66. Thus the code perforations and feed hole perforations may or may not be aligned transversely of the tape,

The code perforating punches and the prepunch are operated cyclically from a common operating means which is controlled by a perforating cam located on main shaft 34. Main operating shaft 34, as described in U. S. Patent No. 2,255,794, supports a selector cam drum (not shown) which is released for rotation in response to the reception of a code signal combination and a second cam drum I06, Fig. 3, that'is released for rotation with each operation of the selector cam drum. Cam drum I06 is driven through a grab clutch comprising driving member I01 and driven member I08 which has a clutch throwout cam III formed on its periphery to control the' therein actuates clutch throwout lever I09 and pivots it away from cam III permitting spring H2 to slide driven element I08 into engagement with driving element I01 to drive cam drum I06 through one cycle. At the completion of that cycle, lever I09 again cooperates with cam III to slide driven member I08 from driving member I 01 and arrest the rotation of the cam drum. When the selector receives a continuous succes. sion of code signals, it will be effective to release cam drum I06 for a corresponding succession of cycles of operation.

A perforating cam I I3 is included in the cam drum I06 and actuates a pivoted, punch operating lever IIl through a cam following roller II6 rotatably supported upon a stud which extends transversely of a bifurcation provided in the rightward extremity of lever Ill. extends obliquely from main operation shaft 34 at the rear of apparatus casting 2I downwardly and forwardly and is pivotally articulated at its lower extremity to a horizontally disposed link II1, Fig. 2, located near the front of the casting. Lever II! has a vertical projection 8 (Fig. 3) bored so as to be assembled in the perforator by means of a pivot shaft I I3 secured in bearing blocks I2I and I22 formed integrally with an upstanding supporting structure I23.

At its leftward extremity,'Fig. 2, link II 1 is provided with an aperture I24 which receives a projection I28 adjustably carried by cradle 62. Cradle 62, which serves as the code punch hammer, is urged by means of a spring I28 secured thereto and to a spring post depending from base casting 2| into abutting relation with the leftward extremity of link I I1, adjustable stop I21 secured to depending portion-I28 of cradle 62 serving to limit this counterclockwise movement of the cradle. Cradle 62 is guided in its movement by the engagement of stud I26 with the guiding aperture I24 of link II1.

Link H1 is slidably articulated, through a slot ill to pivoted three-arm lever I32 which carries an eccentric I34 on arm I33, and the eccentric provides an adjustable engagement between lever link m and the articulation of link II1 to lever I32, the code punches and the pre-punch' are operated with each oscillation of lever I I4 under the control of cam I I3. l

As has already been'pointed out, the selector mechanism 28 which controls the code bars 21 conditions in this one operation both the printing mechanism through'the alignment of the code notches in the code bars 21 and the code punches through the conditioning of punch interponents 58. Cam assembly I06, however, responds to the operation of selector mechanism 28 so that upon the receipt of a code signal combination by the selector mechanism, there is accomplished a printing operation which records on the tape a character corresponding to the received code signal combination, and, simultaneously, there is accomplished one perforating operation that stores the received code signal combination in the tape and another perforating operation that prepares a feed hole in the tape.

A tape guide, Fig. 2, extends from the feed pins 88 at the pre-punch unit to the printing platen 22 to serve as a guide for the tape and prevent the tape from becoming engaged with the perforating unit mechanism. By providing individual tape feeding mechanisms at both the pre-punch unit and the code punch unit, a tape loop may be maintained between the units and supported by the tape guide. This tape loop removes the drag of the tape supply reel from the feeding mechanism at the code perforating unit and consequently greatly reduces the tape load at this point. Further, since the feed pawl at the code punch unit may be secured to the cradle member Lever I M 82 in an adjustable manner similar to the articulation of the feed pawl at the pre-punch unit Sensing unit Associated with the hereinbefore described printing reperforator, is a sensing unit I8 provided to sense the perforated tape as it leaves the printing reperforator. In order to take full advantage of line time, the sensing or transmitting unit employed with the printing reperforator is of the pivoted or traveling type which is adapted to sense every code perforation recorded in a tape by the printing reperforator, without the necessity of stepping the perforated tape a plurality of feeding distances from the perforating unit into the transmitting or sensing unit. This pivoted transmitter, is described in detail in U. 8. Patent No. 2,262,012, granted November 11, 1942, to Ross A. Lake and reference may be had to that patent for the details both in structure and mode of operation of the pivoted transmitter. The transmitter comprises essentially a plurality of sensing elements to sense the perforations in a tape, a member for feeding the tape through the transmitter having imparted toit rectilinear motion, and a cam drum for controlling the operation of the sensing elementsand the tape feeding member.

Unit l6 has a base casting I6I, Fig, 1, which is removably mounted upon the base casting 2I of vertical oscillations of the members which support and operate the sensing elements. The

. rightward portion of wall sections I62, as viewed in Fig. 1, support pivot studs I68 upon which the P movableeor pivoted portion of the sensing unit is.

mitter. A spring latch "holds the tape gate in cooperating relation with the plate IN. This structure of the transmitter is substantially identical, with that disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,262,012 and reference may be had to that patent and particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, for a more detailed disclosure of the mechanical details of the transmitter frame. Both plate "I and the tape gate I13 are provided with a plurality of apertures which are in alignment when the tape gate is in cooperative relation with plate "I.

Apertures in plate I1I receive the reduced portions of sensing pins I15, Fig. 2. There is provided a sensing pin or finger for each of the pos- I 'control the operation of contacts 252.

' the above-identified'U. S. Patent No. 2,262,012,

and illustrated in Figs. 9 tol2 thereof. In view of the detailed description of this tape feeding mechanism, in the latter patent, the apparatus description and the mode of operation will not I be set out herein, and reference should be had to the afore-mentioned patent for a more complete understanding of both the structural details and the precise mode of operation of this rectilinearly operable feed mechanism.

On the shaft I66 which issupported by the channel I64, Fig. 2, formed in the base casting of the sensing unit are pivotally supported a plurality of Y-levers I82 as well as other leversineluding those required to control the operation of the members of the tape feeding mechanism. The Y-levers are individual to the sensing fingers I16 and those fingers are pivotally secured to one arm of the Y-levers on a centerl'ine substantially coincident with the pivots I68. The leftward portions of the Y-levers are supported in a memcal wall sections ofthe base casting of the senssupported by the vertical supporting structure I23 which also providesthe support for punch operator Ill. Formed integrally with structure I23 are horizontally extending members I85 and 293 in which are securely fixed the bearings 204, preferably ball bearings,-for shaft 34. An extension 206 is secured to main shaft 34 throug ablecoupling 201 and carries a gear in mesh with a gear 209, Fig. 2, afllxed to a power transber I83 secured by screws I84, Fig. 1, to the vertiing unit, and member I83 is suitably slotted to provide a comb guide structure to guide the vertical oscillation of the Y-levers about the shaft I66. Each Y-lever is provided leftwardly of the shaft I66 as viewed in Fig. 2, with an upstanding projection to which is secured a spring I89 the carried by member I88, and springs I89 tendnormally to rotate the Y-levers I82 in a counterclockwise direction about shaft I66, and elevate the sensing fingers I16 vertically to sense the perforations in a tape I90 presented to the transmitter.

- extremity with an aperture arranged ,to be engaged by a pin secured near the end of the horizontally extending arm of the Y-levers. -A reed spring riveted to the horizontal arm of the Y- lever serves to retain the lower end of the sensing finger and prevents accidental displacements. This described preferred association of the sensing fingers and Y-levers is not illustrated in the drawings but is adequately illustrated in Fig. 2 of the latter patent.

A cam drum I96, Figs. 2 and 3, carries a plurality of cams which operate, as followers, the several levers pivotally supported by shaft I66, and located on this,cam drum, are a plurality of cams I91, six in number to control the operation of the Y-levers, and the operation of the sixth sensing pin which may be carried by a Y-lever or a bell crank lever, a cam I93 to control the operation of contacts 25I (Fig. 4), a transfer cam I99 for a purpose to be hereinafter described, a cam 200 for controlling the operation of one of the tape feed levers, cam 201 for controlling the operation of the other feed lever, and cam 202 to InFig. 3, the cam drum has been illustrated and the elements of the structure which would obscure the view of the cam drum have been omitted for the purpose of giving a clear showing of the drum.

The power-for driving cam drum I96 is derived from motor 29 through continuously rotating shaft 34. Main shaft'34, Fig. 3, is rotatably other end of which is anchored to a spring post mission shaft 2 extending across the rear of the printing reperforator. Shaft 2 II is rotatably supported by bearings 2I2 and 2I3 depending from the principal apparatus casting 2I and carries a second power transmitting gear 2 I4. Gear 2 I4, Fig. 2, which is continuously rotated by shaft 2II meshes with a gear 2I6 secured to shaft 2" which is journaled in' suitable bearings preferably ball bearings 2I8 (Fig. 1) and 2I9 (Fig. 3) depending from the horizontal portion of base casting 2 I.. Grab clutch driving element 22I is driven continuously from shaft 2I1. The driven element 222 of the clutch is loosely supported on shaft 2I1, and normally held out of engagement with driving element 22I, by means of a clutch throwout lever 223 which normally is spring urged into engagement with a clutch throwout cam 224 formed on the periphery of driven element 222. A compression spring 226 normally urges the clutch elements into engagement with one another and by means of a splined connection driven element 222 of the clutch imparts rotation to the cam drum I96 when the clutch elements have been engaged. Anelectromagnet 221, when energized, retracts the clutch throwout lever 223 from engagement with the throwout cam on the driven element of the clutch and permits engagement of the driving and driven elements, to rotate the cam drum I96- So long as electromagnet 221 remains energized the cam drum will rotate continuously and upon de-energization of the electromagnet the clutch is disengaged after cam drum I96 completes its instant cycle of revolution.

Theenergization of electromagnet 221 is under the control of a transmitter operated switch 229 so that the operation ofthe transmitter may be initiated when desired and terminated automatically upon the operation of the transmitter as the transmitter senses the last code signal combination perforated in the tape by the printing reperforator. The transmitter controlled switch 229 is located within and is part of the apparatus. Frame member I19 of the transmitter structure carries a rightwardly extending projection 23I, Figs. 1 and 2, and when the transmitter in pivoting about pivots I68 has reached its limiting clockwise position, projection 23I will have been brought down into engagement with a plunger 232 which is reciprocally mounted within an aperture in the base casting 2| and normally rests upon a contact of switch 229 so that as the projection 23I bears against and depresses plunger 232, the plungerin turn depresses and operates the switch 229 to break the circuit to the electromagnet 221, and shut down the operation of cam sleeve I96.

Cams I91 are arranged on cam drum I96 with their respective cam recesses in axial alignment so .that a cam recess is presented to each of the Y-levers I82 and to'the operator of the sixth sensing finger simultaneously whereby the six sensing fingers areelevated to their probing positions simultaneously and, depending upon the presence or absence of a perforation inthe tape over an individual finger, into its restrained or a suitits extreme counterclockwise position. The recesses .of cams I91 are of suflicient length circumferentially of the cam sleeve I96 to retain the fingers I in tape probing position until the operation ol' a transfer mechanism, to be hereinafter described, has been completed and thereafter the cams rotate the fingers simultaneously in a clockwise direction, retracting them from probing relation with the tape preparatory to advancing the tape through the transmitter. Cams 200 and 2IlI are orientated to operate, respectively, followers Isl and I92 (Fig. 1) in precisely the same manner in which cams 201 and 205 in the above-identifledU. S. Patent No. 2,262,012 cooperate, respectively, with their followers I61 and H0, to impart a rectilinear feeding movement to the tape feeding membel's of the transmitting device. Furthermore, cams 206 and 2!, are orientated on cam drum I96 with respect to the cams I91, which operate the sensing fingers, in the same relation as the feed cams are orientated on the cam drum of the latter above-identified U. S. patent with respect to the cam therein which operates the tape sensing fingers. Thisorientation, or a similar one,

is important and necessaryto assure the proper operation of the feeding mechanism for if the operation of the sensing pins, there would result a a tearing of thetape and incomplete transmission.

As has already been mentioned, the motion imparted to the transmitter (through the operation of tape feeding instrumen'talities comparable to those found in U. S. Patent 2,262,012) imparts a feeding stroke to the tape to feed the tape through the transmitter, and so long as there is a tape loop or a tape'surplus' between the printing reperforator and the tape transmitter, the tape will be advanced in this manner, but when the tape is taut between the reperforator and the transmitter, the operating movement of the transmitter will be restrained in a counterclockwise direction because of the engagement of the tape feed pins in the taut tape and will result in the clockwise movement of the transmitter frame about its pivots I68. This movement of the transmitter will continue so long as the tape remains taut between the transmitter and the.re-

the sensing unit I6 is pivoted to oscillate about a vertical center; that is, to either side of a vertical center. -This over-central travel of the transmitter requires the inclined feed of the tape through the perforating punch block, which has been defined above, in order that there may be a substantially straight line feed of the tape from the reperforator into the transmitter when the transmitter has assumed its most clockwise position; that is, in abutment with the punch block. The forward or leading surface of the punch block, Fig. 2, is cut back at an inclined angle, inclined to the vertical, to present a plane which is substantially parallel to the position of the transmitter frame when it has engaged the punch block so that there is in effect a plane of contact between the two units.

It is clear from the detailed description of the rectilinear movement of the feeding mechanism of the sensing unit in the above-identified U. S.

Patent No. 2,262,012, that the tape feed pins are normally in engagement with the tape, and

it follows that if the printing reperforator operates at a greater rate than the operation of the'sen'sing unit thereby accumulating tape therebetween, the tape will advance the transmitter in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot 163 until finally the transmitter has reached its extreme counterclockwise position: that is, in abutment with an adjustable limit stop 236, Fig.2. This adjustable stop is suitably secured to a substantially U-shaped frame member 23'! which spans the sensing unit and is secured thereto by means of screws engaging the vertical wall sections I62 thereof, Fig. 1.

Frame member 239 has a depending portion centrally thereof, which secures or supports the stop abutment 233, Fig. 2. A pair of tape supporting fingers 238, Figs. 1 and 2, are carried by the web portion of the frame, 231 and extend forwardly of the transmitter unit toward the perforator unit, extending, when the transmitter is in its extreme counterclockwise position against the stop 236, between the spaces which intervene the first and second, and fifth and sixth tape sensing fingers. Fingers 238 may project between any desired sensing elements of'unit I6. The tape supporting fingers by projecting through the tape sensing unit serve to support the tape and sustain the weight of the tape loop between the tape sensing unit and the tape reperforator preventing bending of the tape over plate ill of the transmitter. Should the tape be supported by the sensing fingers and the edge of plate I'll and there be a substantially large tape loop intermediate the tape sensing unit and reperforator, it is possible for the weight of the tape to bend or substantially break the tape over the plate "I and prevent the feed of the tape through the transmitter. The tape supporting fingers which are provided obviate this danger.

The tape I as it leaves the sensing unit -I6 is supported upon a tape guide 239, Fig. 2, and directed thereover out of the apparatus. The guide 239 supported by base casting 2|, extends across the transfer mechanism and switching mechanism and hasbeen omitted from the remaining figures of the drawings for the sake of disclosing elements of the apparatus which would be obscured by the guide. I

A tape deflector 246 ofsubstantially U-shape, Figs. 1 and 2; is provided intermediate the sensing unit and reperforator and is pivotally secured to the punch block of the perforator. The deflector normally tends to rotate in a counterclockwise direction under the influence of gravity and, if desired, a biasing spring. Due to the contour of the deflector, tape as it emerges from the reperforating punch block and abuts against the deflector is directed downwardly into a depending loop between the reperforator punch block and the sensing unit. A storage container may receive the tape as it accumulates between the the two units, the deflector 246 will pivot about its shaft 16 and come into locking engagement with the transmitter I8 which would have been advanced to its extreme counterclockwise position by reason of the movement of the tape with respect to the transmitter caused by the operation of the reperforator at a reater rate than the operation of the transmitter. Sensing will then be carried out with the sensing unit held by the latching finger 248, so long as there remains a sutllciently large tape loop intermediate the two units. However, assuming that the sensing unit should operateat a rate greater than the rate of operation of the reperforator, the tape loop will be shortened as it is fed through the transmitter at a greater rate than incoming tape is fed from the reperforator. If the transmitter continues to operate at .the greater rate, the tape loop will become entirely taken up, and in so doing, the tape willengage a pin 248 extending horizontally from finger 248, and as the tape becomes taut it will cam the deflector upwardly, and latching finger 248 will be lifted out of the path'of the transmitter so that under the subsequent operations of the rectilinear feed mechanism of the transmitter, the pivoted transmitter will be permitted to advance toward the reper-' forating unit without having its movement in this direction impeded in any way by the latching projection 248 of the tape deflector. In Fig. 2 there is indicated in dotted construction the position of the tape deflector when it has been cammed by the tape in a counterclockwise direc' tion about shaft I6 due to a shortening of the tape loop.

Briefly the operation of the transmitting or sensing unit is as follows:

Y-lever to its extreme counterclockwise position about shaft I66, positioning the leftward extremity 'of'the Y-lever in the lowermost position in its guide comb I83 but if a sensing finger I does not find a code perforation in the tape, the counterclockwise rotation of its associated Y-lever isrestrained so that its spring I83 can rotate the Y-lever I82 to a very limited extent about shaft I66 resulting in a positionment of the Y-lever in an upper position in the guide comb I83. The relative position of the Y -levers, that is, whether the Y-levers remain in a relatively high portion of the guide comb I83, or are positioned in the lower portion of the guide comb, controlled in Assume that the transmitter I6 is in its extreme clockwise position against the. perforator code punch block (Fig, 2). In this condition projection 23I .secured to frame member I10 of the transmitter, will have depressed plunger 232 and opened switch 229, de-energizing the electromag net 221 and disabling the power drive to the cam drum I96 by reason of the engagement of clutch throwout lever 223 and the throwout cam 224 on the periphery of the clutch driven element 222. Toward the completion of a cycle of operation of the printing reperforator in response to a received code signal, a perforated code combination will be stored in the tape and advanced from the reperforator to the transmitter, and this advanc ing movement of the tape, because of the fact that the tape feed pins are in engagement with the feed perforations in the tape, will rock the pivoted transmitter in a counterclockwise direction for a distance corresponding to the tape feed, and this movement is suflicient to withdraw projection 23I from engagement with plunger 232 and permit the spring element of the switch 229 to elevate the plunger and close the switch 229 completing the circuit to electromagnet 221 which attracts its armature resulting in the removal of clutch throwout lever 223 from the path of the throwout cam on the clutch driven element 222-, permitting the engagement under the influence of spring 226 of the elements 22I and 222 of the clutch and connecting the power drive from motor 23 through to the cam drum I96. As cam drurn.I96 rotates, cams I91 simultaneously present cam depressions to the plurality of Y-levers I82 to elevate the sensing fingers I15 into tape probing position under the influence of biasing springs I89 individual to each Y-lever. If a given 7 Y-lever finds a perforation in the tape, its associated spring I89 will be permitted to rotate the accordance with the code perforated in the tape, is utilized in a manner to be hereinafter described. to control transmitting redistributors tov repeat the signals and function levers to perform switching operations in-accordance with the permutable setting of the Y-levers. As cam drum I38 continues its cycle of rotation, cams I31 retract fln-.

gers I15 from probing engagement with the tape, cams 208 and 2!", controlling the operation of the tape feed levers in a manner described in sequently to the sensing unit by the. operation of feed wheel 8| in the printing reperforator, the movement of the transmitter frame at the completion of the instant cycle of operation of cam drum I 86 will not cause the switch 228 to open and the sensing unit will continue to operate. If the printing reperforator continues to operate at a greater rate than the sensing unit, a tape loop will form intermediate the units and the tape deflector 248 will be effective to latch the sensing unit against its counterclockwise stop 236 until the deflector is cammed out'ofen'gagement with the sensing unit by the.tape resulting from a subsequent operation of the transmitter at agreater Retransmztting distributors and transfer mechanism The sensing unit, in the manner described above senses the successive code perforations in the tape as the tape passes from the printing reperforator to the sensing unit, and in each sensing operation positions the Y-levers I82 in guide comb I83 in accordance with 'the code combination sensed; that is, the Y-levers are permutably posi-- tioned in the upper or lower portions of the guide slots in comb I83 in accordance with the extent of the counterclockwise rotation of the Y-levers under the influence of their biasing springs I88 as controlled by the perforations in the tape. The permutable setting of the Y-levers I82 controls the operation of cam type retransmitting distributors I1 and I8, Figs. 1 and 2, which redistribute or retransmit the received and recorded code signal combinations. A plurality of distributing devices have been provided to afiord a flexible retransmitting or redistributing system, aswillghereinafter appear.

Each of the cam type retransmitting distrlbu-' 218 in mesh with power transmitting gear 2.

secured to continuously rotating shaft 2. A

' clutch, including a driving portion 218 secured to shaft 212 and driven member 211 rotatably supported upon shaft 212 is provided to impart driving force to the cam assembly. A spring 218 is effective when a distributor release magnet 218, Fig. 4, is energized retracting a clutch throwout lever 28 I from engagement with the clutch throwout cam 282 formed on the periphery of driven member 211 to engage theclutch elements and rotate the cam assembly.

A plurality of pivotally supported contact operating bell crank levers 288, Fig. 2, having cam following projections 288 is supported upon a pivot shaft 288 suitably secured to the apparatus frame structure and biasing springs (not shown) serve to urge the bell cranks in a clockwise'direction to maintain the cam followers in engagement with their associated cams in cam assembly 21!. A pair of transmitting contacts 281 is associated with each contact operating lever to be operated thereby. The individual cams comprising the assembly 21! are, arranged in helical arrangement and present cam recesses to the contact operating levers successively so that the contact operating levers are invariably operated in succession with each rotation of the cam sleeve whereby a signal including start-stop phasing impulses may be transmitted.

The particular signal transmitted is determined by a series of contacts, in this case five in numher, one of which is serially connected with the code impulse contacts of the distributor i1. These character determining contacts 288 are supported in the apparatus assembly in operative relation with respect to a depending projection 289 depending from each of the Y-levers corresponding to the code probing sensing elements to be con-' ditioned thereby in accordance with a code com- The distributor release magnet 218 as well as v the transmitter release magnet 221 is supported by a. bracket that depends from the main casting,

. the magnets being secured thereto in superposed ratus thus far described, the transmitting (lisbination sensed by sensing mechanism It. Five code controlling contacts 288 have been provided because it is contemplated that the apparatus will be operated by a five unit'code. It is to be understood that the number of such contacts employed will be determined by the particular code utilized.

As indicated above, the contact operating lever I94, Fig. 4, is pivotally supported on shaft I88 to operate under the control of a cam 282 a pair of contacts 252 which contacts, when operated, complete the energizing circuit (not shown) for the distributor release magnet 219 to initiate a cycle of operation of retransmittin distributor l1. Cam 282 is oriented within the cam drum I96 to operate lever H14 in proper timed relation to the operation of the sensing mechanism I8 under the operation of the plurality of camsl91 o that relation, Fig. 4. A pair of horizontally extending arms, HI and 292, project from the bracket, Fig. l, and a pivot shaft 283 upon which is mounted clutch throwout levers 223 and 28l is supported by the rightward extremities of the arms.

In the operation of the retransmitting appatrlbutor 11 repeats into the channel with which the distributor is electrically associated the signal combinations stored in the tape and sensed by the sensing device. The Y-levers I82 are permutably conditioned under the operation of the sensing fingers I15 about the shaft I86 and thereby operate the series of contacts 288 in a corresponding permutation. This permutation is determined as follows: When a Y-lever has assumed its extreme counterclockwise position as when its associated sensing finger has found a perforation in the tape, its projection 288 causes its associated contact pair 288 to be closed, and when the counterclockwise rotation of a Y-lever ls impeded due to a spacing condition represented by the absence of a perforation in the tape over the particular sensing finger, its projection 288 retains contacts 288 open so that with each operation of the sensing device contacts 288 are opened and closed to determine a code signal permutation. In timed relation to the operation of the sensing device, cam 282 operates lever I94 to energize the distributor release magnet 218 which transmits a start impulse following which, through the invariable operation of its cam operating levers, it transmits the marking and spacing impulses comprising the particular code signal combination under the control of contacts 288 and finally it transmits a stop impulse whereupon the clutch throwout lever 282 arrests the cam sleeve pending another operation of the sensing device. 1

Transmitting drum 819 in its stopped condition maintains marking condition on the line, as is well understood in the art, and holds each of the code impulse contact pairs open whereas the sensing device in its arrested condition, retains the Y-levers in their extreme clockwise positions holding contacts 288 open preparatory to a sensing operation. Early in the cycle of cam drum use the sensing elements are operated simultaneously and establish a signal combination immediately upon contacts 288. At substantially the same time, distributor i1 is released and during the remaining portion of the Sensing time, transmits over its associated line the signal combination established on contacts 288.

Y-levers 182 control the signals generated by a second retransmitting distributor i8 through a transfer mechanism. that reads'the setting of the Y-levers, determined by a sensing operation, and establishes that setting on the contact operating levers of the distributor. The particular association of the distributor with the sensing mechanism, being through the agency of a transfer mechanism, aii'ords complete signal overlap in this portion of the apparatus which is similar to a tape transmitter.

The transfer mechanism is supported by a pair of depending structural brackets, depending from base casting 2|. Pivot studs 383 and 384, Fig; 4, support the frame of the transfer mechanism in a pivotal manner. The frame comprises a pair of vertical arms 309 and 301 interconnected by a horizontally disposed member 309, Fig. 1. A horizontally disposed pivot shaft 309, Fig. 2, extends between the upper portions of vertical frame members 309 and 301 of the transfer frame and there is mounted on the shaft a plurality of transfer levers 3 which are substantially T shaped and suitably spaced horizontally along shaft 309 by means of spacing discs. The upper and lower extremities of the vertical sections of T-levers 3 face the fork elements of the Y-levers I82, Fig.2, and when the ,Y-levers are positioned in the upper portion of the slide groove of comb I93, the upper tines of the Y'-levers are in substantial .alignment with the upper extremities of the T- levers and, conversely, when the Y-levers are positioned in the lower portion of the comb, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the lower tines are'in substantial alignment with the lower extremities of the T- levers. Shaft 309 is preferably eccentric 'in cross respect to one another, to their normal or counterclockwise position and, in this manner, free the setting the Y-levers in accordance with the following code signal combination recorded in the normally to hold the transfer frame in its counterclockwise position, but the operation of cam I99 on cam follower 3I3 is sufllcient to overcome 'this spring bias and rotate the transfer frame and the T-levers 3 into a clockwise position in which the terminals of the T-levers come into abutting relation with the tines of the Y-levers in accordance with the permutable setting of the Y-levers, and this engagement of the T-levers with the Y-levers rocks the T-levers in a clockwise to the projection of its associated sensing finger I15 through a code perforation in the tape under the influence of its biasing spring I89, when the cam I99 operates the transfer mechanism in timed relation to the probing of the tape under the control of cams I91, that is, after the tape has been sensed and the Y-levers permutably conditioned, it will bring the T-lever associated with the particular Y-lever toward the Y-lever, the lower tine of which will engage the lower extremity of the vertical section of the T-lever 3I I, and through this engagement will rock the T- lever 3I I in a clockwise direction about shaft 309. Conversely, when the Y-lever is in its upper position in the comb I83 due to the failure of its will engage the upper extremity of the vertical section of the T-lever and in this engagement rock the T-lever in a counterclockwise direction about shaft 309. The transfer of the setting of the individual Y -levers to the associated individual T-levers takes place simultaneously and after it has taken place, the return spring on the transfer mechanism is effective under the control of cam I99 to rotate the transfer mechanism, and the 'r-levers in their permutable relation With tape, thereby providing complete signal overlap between the sensing unit and transfer mechanism.

There is associated with each T-lever a code bar 3I9, Figs. 1 and'2, and this association is through the shank portion 3" of T-lever 3 which is received in a recess 3I provided in the upper surface of the code bar. Each code bar 3l6 is slidably supported at each of its extremities within guide combs 3I9 and 32I, Fig. 2, carried in depending fashion from the base casting 2| of the apparatus. There are as many code bars provided as there are T-levers, one bar being associated with one T-lever in the above-described manner. In this particular embodiment of the invention, wherein it is contemplated to employ a five-unit code, there are provided five Y-levers, five T-levers and five code bars mutually associated with one another. The code bars 3 I6 extend leftwardly from the transfer T-levers and at its leftward extremity, Fig. 2, each -code bar receives a latching lever 322 to control the transmitting contacts of cam type distributor I8.

Latching levers 322 are pivotally supported upon a pivot shaft 323 suitably secured to the main casting 2I and properly positioned axially along the shaft by spacing discs. At its lowest extremity each latching lever enters a recess provided in the upper surface of its associated code bar to provide a suitable articulation therebetween so that the permutable setting of the code bars will be automatically established on the latching levers. The latching levers determine the signal transmitted by cam type distributor I8.

Cam type distributor I8, Figs. 1 and 2, comprises a cam drum 323 upon'which are mounted the five code impulse controlling cams and the start-stop controlling cam, as is well known in the art, and described with particularity in Patent No. 1,595,472 to Krum. Cam drum 326 is loosely mounted on shaft 321 which receives its driving power from shaft 2I I, Figs. 1 and 2, which carries gear 328 meshing with a gear 329 secured to shaft 321. A grab or positive clutch comprising a driving element 33I, Fig. 1, secured to shaft 321 and a driven portion 332 rotatably mounted upon shaft 321 and controlled by clutch throwout lever 333 is provided to connect the power from shaft 321, through the grab clutch, to cam drum 326 when magnet 334 is energized, retracting the clutch throwout lever 333 from engagement with the cam on the peripheral portion of clutch element 332 permitting engagement of the elements of the grab clutch in a manner referred to hereinbefore in connection with another similar grab clutch construction. Shaft 321 is suitably journaled on supports provided in the base casting 2 I, one of which is illustrated at 336."

Associated with the cam drum 326 are a plu-' rality of levers 331, Fig. 2, pivoted on 'a shaft 338 and operated by cams on cam drum 329 when permitted to move by the latching levers 322 to asoaeer control the operation of transmitting contacts 333 associated with a telegraph line (not shown).

In Fig. 2 the levers 331 and cam drum 326 are illustrated, and from that view it may be seen that the horizontally extending portion of each lever 331 carries a cam following element projeca counterclockwise direction to close the associated contact 339 ifthe latching lever 322 associated with the particular lever 331 is in its clockwise position, as illustrated in Fig. 2, due to the leftward positionment of its respective code bar, under the control of the T-'-levers. If a code bar has been conditioned in its rightward'position by its T-lever, the latching lever 322 operated by that code bar will be positioned in its counter-' clockwise position or into locking relation with the lever 331 associated therewith, and when the cam recess is presented to the cam follower of that lever, the counterclockwise rotation of the lever is restrained through the engagement of the latching lever 322 with the lever 331, preventing the closure ofthe cam operated contacts 339 associated with that particular lever.

The energization of electromagnet 334 is under the control of cam I98 on cam sleeve I96 of the sensing unit which, through the orientation of cam I 93 on the sleeve, releases the distributor shaft 321 to drive the cam sleeve 326 in timed relation to the sensing and transfer of the code combinations in the tape. Cam I 98' operates a bell crank I93, Fig. 1, pivoted on shaft I66 to close contacts 25I Fig. 4, which complete a simple energizing circuit (not shown) to the electromagnet 333 in each cycle of revolution of the sensing unit cam drum I96 to cause the grab clutch 33I332 in the transmitting distributor unit to be engaged for a single cycle of revolution.

The operation of the transfer mechanism and the transmitting distributor briefly is as follows: In timed relation to the setting of the Y-levers I82, cam I 99 operates to move the transfer mechanism including the transfer T-levers 3i I to their clockwise position and permutably set the T- levers in their clockwise or counterclockwise position about shaft 339 in accordance with the engagement of the T and Y-levers; that ,is, by engagement with the lower extremities of the V-levers, the T-levers are rotated in a clockwise direction in response to a marking impulse indicated in the perforated tape, and, conversely, are rotated in a counterclockwise direction in response to the spacing impulse indicated in the tape. Through their association with the T- levers the code bars will be correspondingly conditioned in a permutable setting corresponding to that setting which has been transferred to the T-levers from the Y-levers and in this setting the T-levers which have been rotated in a clockwise direction, position their associated code bars leftwardly and, conversely, those T-levers which are positioned in a counterclockwise direction condition their code bars in a rightward position.

Correspondingly, the latching levers 322 are moved respectively out of and into latching position with respect to the levers 331. Those code bars 3 I6 which have been positioned in a leftward direction in response to a marking impulse rotate their latching levers out of engagement with their associated levers 331 permitting the contacts controlled by those levers to be closed under contacts 339 associated with those levers and thus initiate a spacing impulse. In this manner, the code combination, sensed by the sensing unit and transferred to the code bars by the transfer mechanism, is set up in the retransmitting distributor and retransmitted.

In order to effect automatic switching or any of the various functions which it may be desired to control from the perforated tape, there is provided an automatic switching mechanism l9 including a plurality of function levers 35I, Figs. 1 and 2, pivotally supported upon a shaft (not shown) which is suitably carried by the base casting to the rear of the apparatus. The function levers are properly positioned along said shaft ,by means of spacers interposed between successive levers, and to accommodate a large number of function levers, said levers are assembled on said shaft to define two rows, one on either side of code b'ars 3I6. For the purpose of effecting switching operations, contacts 354 associated with communication channels are suitably supported in a position to be operated by the function levers 35!. Each function lever 35! is provided with a biasing spring tending to rock the lever about its pivot in a direction to operate the contact pair 354 associated therewith.

Each code bar 3H5 is coded on both its upper and lower surfaces; that is, each bar carries a series of recesses or cutaway portions in its upper and lower surfaces, located in code manner so that for each permutational setting of the code bars there will be one, and only one, alignment of notches including a notch or recess located in each code bar. Function levers 35E are positioned transversely of the code bars to be selectively operated thereby.. The positionment of the function levers with respect to the code notches is such that there is a predetermined permutational setting of the code bars for each function lever which will present an alignment of code notches to that function lever, and that lever alone, permitting the lever to be positioned into the alignment of code notches by its biasing spring to thereby actuate its associated contacts 353.

The apparatus described provides a flexible retransmitting arrangement which enables various services to-be carried on through the employment of this apparatus by providing a plurality of retransmitting distributors, Message signals received in the printing reprforator may be repeated over a plurality of communication channels. One of those channels may be invariably connected to one of the retransmitting distributors, such as distributor H. A supervising or master station may conveniently be connected to such a transmitter to supervise and study the operation of the apparatus. Any of a plurality Conversely, the code bars 3I6 that the message is to be transmitted over only a signal channel, it, of course, is merely necessary to disable one of the retransmitting distributors and associate the desired communication channel with the remaining distributor. Similarly, if the features of the automatic switching mechanism are not to be taken advantage of,signal repetition may be carried on through retransmitting distributor l1 and need not be carried on through distributor l8.

Although a specific embodiment of the inven tion has been disclosed in the drawings and described in the specification, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such specific embodiment but may be modified and rearranged without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 4

What is claimed is:

1. Telegraph apparatus including a receiving reperforator for recording received telegraph signals in a flexible medium, apparatus for sensing the recorded signals including the last signal recorded, means for transmitting signals under control of said sensing apparatus, control means for stopping said sensing apparatus upon the sensing of the last signal recorded in said medium, and control mechanism controlled by said control means for stopping said transmitting means upon transmitting signaling impulses in accordance with signals including thelast signal recorded in said medium.

2. Telegraph apparatus including a receiving reperforator for recording received telegraph signals in a flexible medium, apparatus for sensing the recorded signals including the last signal recorded, means for transmitting signals under control of said sensing apparatus, acontact controlled means for stopping said sensing apparatus upon the sensing of the last signal recorded in said medium, and other contact controlled means controlled by said first recited contact controlled.

means for stopping said transmitting means upon transmitting signaling impulses in accordance with signals including the last signal recorded in said medium.

3. Telegraph apparatus including a receiving reperforator for recording received telegraph signals in a strip, a unit in juxtaposition with said reperforator including a movable frame'for sensing the recorded signals including the last signal recorded, signal distributing means for transmitting signals under control of said unit, control means for stopping the movement of said frame upon the sensing of the last signal recorded in said strip, and control mechanism governed by said control means for stopping said signal distributing means upon transmitting signaling impulses in accordance with signals including the last signal recorded in said strip.1

4. Telegraph apparatus including a. receiving reperforator for recording received telegraph signals in a strip, a unit in juxtaposition with said reperforator including a movable frame for sensing the recorded signals'including the last signal recorded, signal distributing means for transmitting signals under control of said unit, a contact controlled means for stopping said sensing apparatus upon the sensing of the last signal recorded in said strip, and other contact controlled means controlled by said first recited contact controlled means for stopping said signal distributing means upon transmitting signaling impulses in accordance with signals including the last signal 'recorded in said strip.

5. Telegraph apparatus including mechanism for applying permanent indicia on a record strip representing intelligence characters, mechanism for sensing the indicia on said strip, means for efiecting relative movement between said mechanisms, means eflective during said relative movement for causing the transmission of electrical impulses in accordance with the indicia on said strip, control means for stopping the relative movement between said mechanisms upon the sensing of the last indicia recorded in said strip, and control mechanismcontrolled by said control means for stopping said transmitting means upon transmitting signaling impulses in accordance with signals including the last indicia recorded in said strip.

6. Telegraph apparatus including mechanism for applying permanent indicia on a record strip representing intelligence characters, mechanism for sensing the indicia on said strip, means for effecting relative movement between said mechanisms, means effective during said relative movement for causing the transmission of electrical impulses in accordance with the indicia on said strip, a contact controlled means for stopping said relative movement between said mechanisms upon the sensing of the last indicia recorded in said strip, and other contact controlled means controlled by said first recltedcontact controlled means for stopping said transmitting means upon transmitting signaling impulses in accordance with signals including the last indicia recorded in said strip.

7. In combination with apparatus for applying an unlimited number ofpermanent indicia on a record strip, apparatus forv sensing the indicia including a plurality of sensing fingers cooperating with the indicia, means responsive to said sensing fingers to transmit signal impulses identified with said indicia, means for advancing-said record strip to bring successive indicia in alignment with said sensing fingers and for advancing said sensing fingers along said strip to a point immediately adjacent to the point of condition of said strip, a contact controlled means for stopping the advancement of said sensing fingers along said strip upon the sensing of the last indicia recorded on said strip, and other contact controlled means controlled by said first recited contact controlled means for stopping said transmitting means upon transmitting signaling impulses in accordance with signals including the last indicia recorded in said strip.

8. In combination with a perforator for applying code perforations and feed perforations in a strip, means for sensing the code perforations in said strip including a sensing head mounted for pivotal movement, a plurality of sensing fingers carried by said head for sensing the code perforations in said strip, means for transmitting signals under control of said sensing'fingers, means cooperating with the feed perforations in said strip for moving said sensing head about its pivot to align the sensing fingers with the last row of perforations in said strip, a contact controlled means for stopping the movement of said sensing head about its pivot upon the sensing of the last row of code perforations in said strip, and other contact controlled means controlled by said first recited contact controlled means for stopping said transmitting means upon transmitting signaling impulses in accordance with signals instrip, a unit in juxtaposition with said peri'orator including a movable frame, sensing fingers in said frame for sensing code perforations including the last row of code perforations perforated in said strip, feed mechanism in said frame cooperating with the feed perforations for advancing the strip, a pivoted lever secured to each of said fingers and responsive to their position, a plurality of electrical contacts and a rotary distributor operative upon the movement of said frame to operate said contacts in accordance with the position of said levers, a contact controlled means for stopping the movement oi said frame upon the sensing of the last row of .code perforations perforated in said strip, and other contact controlled means controlled by said first 10 strip.

MAURUS T. GOETZ. 

